Are mental health expenses HSA eligible?
Asked by: Hans O'Kon | Last update: October 28, 2025Score: 5/5 (22 votes)
Can I use my HSA for mental health?
Yes. You can use an HSA to cover some mental health expenses, including therapy to treat a diagnosed mental condition. However, therapy that isn't specifically designed for medical or mental health needs — like marriage or family counseling — often won't qualify for HSA coverage.
What disqualifies you from having an HSA?
If you can receive benefits before that deductible is met, you aren't an eligible individual. Other employee health plans. An employee covered by an HDHP and a health FSA or an HRA that pays or reimburses qualified medical expenses can't generally make contributions to an HSA.
Are antidepressants HSA-eligible?
Antidepressants are eligible with a prescription with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Antidepressants reimbursement is not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Can I use my HSA to pay for couples therapy?
Marriage counseling often falls outside the scope of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines for an HSA account, as it is not deemed a medical necessity.
Eligible Expenses: What Expenses are Eligible with an HSA, FSA or HRA?
Can I use HSA for gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
Is mental health FSA eligible?
Yes, the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) guidelines state you can pay for therapy and other essential medical necessities using pre-tax dollars you've put into an FSA account. The FSA reimbursement approach offers significant tax savings, helping to reduce your overall taxable income.
Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?
Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.
What happens if I accidentally used my HSA card for groceries?
If you catch the transaction early enough, you might even be able to contact the retailer and ask them to reverse the charge and fill it on a new card. If you bought something in person, you can also return it to the store and then buy it again with a different card.
Are tampons HSA eligible?
With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”
What is the downside of an HSA?
Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
What is the 12 month rule for HSA?
It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.
Can I use HSA for dental?
Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.
Is mental health considered a medical expense?
(added March 17, 2023) A7: Yes, if the therapy is treatment for a disease. For example, an amount paid for therapy to treat a diagnosed mental illness is a medical expense, but an amount paid for marital counseling is not.
Is psychiatry HSA-eligible?
Psychiatric care is eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Psychiatric care is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA), or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).
Can I use HSA for massage?
Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.
How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?
Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA. You are responsible for reporting qualified and non-qualified withdrawals when completing your taxes.
Can I use my HSA for skincare?
This means that any skin care costs that count towards your deductible, such as prescription medications or dermatologist visits, can be paid for using HSA funds.
What is HSA receipt loophole?
The Adult Child HSA Family Contribution Loophole
That's why you can do things like save receipts for decades and then pull the money out of the account. That's why you can use it as a stealth IRA by investing in it for decades and then pulling it out after age 65 penalty-free and buying a sailboat with it.
Will HSA pay for gym membership?
Gym memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. While physical fitness is important, gym memberships are typically viewed as personal or recreational expenses rather than a medical necessity. So using HSA funds for them could result in taxes and penalties.
Can I buy a Peloton with my HSA?
The partnership will make it easier for qualified US-based Peloton customers to use pre-tax Health Savings Account (HSA)/Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars to purchase applicable Peloton products, saving customers up to 40% off their purchase.
Can I buy Gatorade with HSA?
You can grab a pack of ORS using your HSA or FSA funds without a prescription. However, rehydration sports drinks (think Gatorade) and electrolyte solutions containing additional additives (such as caffeine, immunity boosters, or the like) are not eligible.
Can I use HSA for mental health counseling?
You can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to offset the cost of mental healthcare by saving money on taxes. Most mental health services — like counseling, prescription-only medications, and treatment for substance use disorder — can be paid for with FSA and HSA tax-free funds.
Can I use HSA for contact lenses?
The IRS considers prescription contact lenses a qualified medical expense. So you can use pretax funds in your HSA or FSA to cover the cost of your contact lenses and any items required for proper care and maintenance of lenses. This includes contact lens cases, enzyme cleaner, and saline solution.
Can you use HSA for chiropractor?
HSAs can be used for large and small qualified medical expenses. You can use your HSA for ongoing medical services and treatments, like chiropractic care, acupuncture, or physical exams. Medical copays, deductibles, and coinsurance can also be covered under an HSA.